Olympic Games 2012: Wales

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northampton North of 12 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1345W, on contracts: companies outside London, how many and what proportion of the contracts awarded were awarded to companies in  (a) Wales and  (b) Gwent.

Tessa Jowell: To date, three contracts have been awarded to businesses and organisations registered in Wales; this represents less than 1 per cent. of the total. Of these, one contract has been awarded to the Office of National Statistics, registered in Gwent The other two contracts were awarded to John Evans Photography and Strategy and Solution Limited, both registered in south Glamorgan, It is still very early days with the vast majority of supply chain contracts to be awarded, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Welsh businesses to get involved.
	The London 2012 Business Network has been established to spread opportunities in the London 2012 supply chains to businesses across the country, opening up supply chains like no other Games before. The opportunities are there, we have the network in place, so as MPs we should do everything we can to ensure businesses in our constituencies sign up and get the support they need to win contracts.

Olympic Games: China

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many  (a) Ministers,  (b) Government officials,  (c) Olympics Delivery Agency staff and  (d) London Organising Committee of Olympic Games members and staff will attend all, or part, of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; and at what cost.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 15 May 2008
	I will attend all of the Olympic Games. Four Ministers will attend for a part of the Games: the Prime Minister; the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; the Minister for Sport and the Minister for Trade and Investment.
	The number of Government officials attending has not yet been finalised, however it will include a private secretary and press officer support to the Ministers. There will also be a small number of officials who will be working to represent UK interests in Beijing, for example through trade opportunities and other events and six officials taking part in the official Olympic Observer Programme to learn lessons for staging the 2012 London Olympic Games. This will be the only opportunity to learn lessons from another summer Olympics before London 2012.
	About 17 Olympic Delivery Authority staff are expected to attend. They will aim to learn important operational and logistical lessons to feed into planning for London 2012.
	Full costs are not yet known for these visitsdetails are still being determined. We are working to ensure the best possible price.
	There will be no cost to the public purse for London Organising Committee staff attending the Games. Numbers have not yet been finalised, but a significant proportion of LOCOG staff will attend and will be seconded to the Beijing Organising Committee for about three months; will take part in the official Observer Programme; will take part in the closing ceremony or will work in the media and operations centre. Again this will be their last opportunity to learn from a summer Olympics before London 2012.

Armed Forces: Pay

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the procedure is for paying service personnel  (a) posted overseas,  (b) on active service and  (c) in the UK.

Derek Twigg: All service personnel are paid to their nominated bank accounts through the joint personnel administration (JPA) system whether posted within the UK, overseas or on operations. Recruits provide their bank details on arrival at their initial training or reservists units and payments to banks normally commence within three months of enlistment. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the individual service person to maintain their bank details on the JPA system, including initiating, through their human resource administration staff, payments to overseas bank accounts, when posted overseas. The JPA system also has the capacity to make payments by payable order and for unit administration staff, when required, to make payments in cash.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the  (a) target,  (b) actual and  (c) shortfall percentage against target of recruiting of each pinch point trade was in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the outflow  (a) rate and  (b) number of each pinch point trade was in each year since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 May 2008,  Official Reporter, columns 1704-8W.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weapons caches have been found in  (a) Basra,  (b) Maysan,  (c) Dhi Qar and  (d) Al Muthanna in each year since 2003.

Des Browne: Data on weapons cache finds has only been recorded since 1 January 2004. The number of weapons cache finds by Multi National Forces in Basra, Maysan, Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna in each year since 2004 are as follows:
	
		
			  Finds of  weapons caches  Al Muthanna  Basra  Dhi Qar  Maysaan  Grand  t otal 
			 2004 6 64 76 18 16 
			 2005 5 46 50 27 128 
			 2006 4 44 23 4 75 
			 2007 1 15 2 4 22 
			 2008 0 9 3 0 12 
		
	
	In addition, some 150 weapons caches were discovered in Basrah during April 2008(1) as part of the ongoing operations in the City led by the Iraqi Security Forces.
	(1)( )Up to 16 April 2008.

Military Aid

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what materiel handling equipment is available to his Department for humanitarian airdrop operations.

Bob Ainsworth: Should an aircraft carry out a humanitarian airdrop, the necessary resources, including material handling equipment are available to complete the task.

Environment Protection: Seas and Oceans

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legal advice he has received on whether an environmental damage assessment is required in relation to fishing and related activities within the proposed offshore special area of conservation sites at  (a) Braemar Pockmarks,  (b) Scanner Pockmark,  (c) North Norfolk sandbanks and Saturn Reef,  (d) Haig Frais,  (e) Stanton Banks,  (f) Darwin Mounds and  (g) Wyville Thomson Ridge.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 (OMCRs) came into force on 21 August 2007 and provides for controls on certain activities that have an effect on important species and habitats in the offshore marine environment through a number of offences that aim to prevent environmentally damaging activities, and for the carrying out of appropriate assessments of plans or projects where required by Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the habitats directive).
	Legal advice in drafting and implementing these regulations has been ongoing to determine how they might apply to fisheries and best meet the UK obligations under Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (the birds directive); the habitats directive; and the common fisheries policy.
	The UK has not yet submitted the sites mentioned to the European Commission to be considered for designation as marine Special Areas of Conservation. If and when they are submitted they will receive the full protection afforded by the OMCRs.

Fisheries: Environment Protection

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fishing and related activities took place in the proposed offshore special areas of conservation at  (a) Braemar Pockmarks,  (b) Scanner Pockmark,  (c) North Norfolk sandbanks and Saturn reef, (d) Haig Frais,  (e) Stanton Banks,  (f) Darwin Mounds and  (g) Wyville Thomson Ridge in the latest period for which information is available; how often fishing took place in each; which boats were identified; in which countries those boats were registered; what species were targeted in each; what catch techniques were used; and what the commercial value was of each catch.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Joint Nature Conservation Council (JNCC) is required to prepare conservation objectives and advice on operations as soon as practicable after sites are submitted to the European Commission. For each of the offshore Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) subject to consultation in 2007-08 JNCC prepared draft documents to the best of its existing knowledge, in consultation with various Government Departments and agencies who hold such information.
	JNCC intends to update its conservation objectives and advice on operations taking into account additional information received during the consultation process.
	The following summarises all the information relating to fishing activity, which is available for each site in JNCC's draft conservation objectives and advice on Operations for each possible site:
	 Braemar Pockmarks
	Information for 12 months (ending July 2007) from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's (SFPA) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) database indicates that there is currently significant fishing activity within the proposed boundary of this site. A 2006 survey of the site by an energy supply company also identifies that there is significant trawling in the site. The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) report that fishing in this area will include Nephrops trawling, seine netting, single boat demersal trawling, pair trawling and both single boat pelagic and pair pelagic trawling. SFF also indicate the data show that herring followed by haddock are the most important species with significant quantities of cod, monkfish, saithe and whiting. SFPA suggest it may be impossible to construct quantities data given the small size of the area.
	 Scanner Pockmark
	Information for 12 months ending July 2007 from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's (SFPA) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) database indicates that there is currently little fishing activity within the proposed boundary of this site. It is possible that this is because there is an obstruction in the area and this is under investigation. SFPA report that fishing in this area will generally be Nephrops (Norway lobster or scampi) trawling by Scottish vessels. There is also some Danish industrial fishing of pout and sand eel, and some pelagic UK, Danish and Swedish vessels targeting mackerel and herring. The SFF indicate that data show that there has been only one day of pelagic fishing in the past three years in the statistical square that the area lies in and that there is a significant number of days by vessels targeting whitefish using single boat demersal gear and demersal pair trawl. SFPA suggest it may be impossible to construct quantities data given the small size of the area.
	 North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef
	This area is heavily commercially fished with mixed demersal fisheries and shellfisheries. The majority of beam trawlers are Dutch and Belgian operating around the banks and targeting sole, plaice and possibly cod, skate and rays. There are also some UK beam trawls and UK vessels using static fishing gear. There may be an occasional UK trawler operating in the area. While the area was popular with Grimsby based trawlers many years ago, the decline in that sector has meant that there has been little recorded activity by them in recent times. French stern trawlers work the area for whiting at certain times of the year (according to French fishing industry information).
	Vessels targeting shellfish which are based on the coast from Caister to Weybourne, including the Cromer/Sheringham crab and lobster fleet, tend to work fairly close inshore and operate mainly on the inner sandbanks. However some of these vessels will venture further off shore. Wells based potting vessels in North Norfolk are more likely to operate further offshore and in the proposed SAC area. The offshore potters based in Grimsby, Bridlington and Scarborough are active throughout the general area. Some five UK long-liners can work the area, principally for cod, skate and dogfish, though the numbers have declined in recent years, with some of the vessels now concentrating on survey and guardship duties. Data from the Marine Fisheries Agency's Fishery Activity Database (FAD) show that the value of landings of fish caught within the boundary of the proposed site, in England by UK vessels, is £841,000 from beam trawls and £68,000 from other demersal towed gear.
	 Haig Fras
	Fishing is known to take place within the site. Information from the Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA) indicates that the area is commercially fished in relation to mixed demersal fisheries, including hake and that there are the following activities:
	Netters: Haig Fras is well within range of the netting fleet based at Newlyn. The area is fished by all of the western based static gear netting vessels (12 in number) and all are members of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO). In some cases these vessels are believed to work directly on top of the proposed SAC area. French netters also appear to work in or near Haig Fras at times.
	Beam trawlers: There are a number of Newlyn based beam trawlers, probably less than 10, that work around this general area and possibly within part of the proposed SAC site at times. There may be some Belgium and Irish activity here as well, at certain times of the year.
	Demersal trawlers: French stern trawlers fish quite widely in the general area around and possibly within Haig Fras for nephrops and demersal species (according to French fishing industry information). A couple of Anglo-Spanish trawlers may also work the area.
	Long-liners: A couple of Anglo-Spanish vessels are known to work in the general area.
	Data on UK landings in England from the Marine and Fisheries Agency show that the value of demersal fishing to UK vessels is about £230,000. There is also known to be French and Irish demersal trawling.
	 Stanton Banks
	Information for 12 months ending July 2007 from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's (SFPA) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) database indicates that there is currently significant fishing activity within the proposed boundary of this site, particularly to the north-west of the site. SFPA report that it is fished heavily by vessels based in west coast of Scotland. The site tends to be a seasonal fishery because of weather and as such provides a good fishing area for larger boats during summer months. The effort is nearly all demersal trawling. The main species targeted are Nephrops (Norway lobster or scampi), haddock, hake and monkfish as well as various other species. The West of Scotland Fish Producers Organisation note that their vessels target nephrops and take by-catches of monk, megrim whiting, haddock and hake suing bottom trawls. In addition there is seasonal pelagic boat activity and significant crab fishing. Irish vessels (using both pelagic and demersal gear) also operate in this area; indeed part of the proposed site lies in Irish grey zone where UK-and Irish-claimed fishing limits overlap and there is an agreed system for enforcement. SFPA report that the industry are aware of coral in the area, and that fishermen make an effort to steer clear of it as it damages their nets.
	 Darwin Mounds
	Mobile demersal gear is known to cause an impact to the reefs and has therefore been banned over the reef under the common fisheries policy.
	 Wyville Thomson Ridge
	Information for 12 months ending July 2007 from the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency's (SFPA) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) database indicates that there is currently significant fishing activity in the area. Generally the target species for demersal trawling are blueing, ling, greater fork beard and other associated deep sea species. These are targeted mostly by French (according to French fishing industry information), some UK (Scottish) vessels and possibly Spanish vessels. Given the areas rocky nature, it will generally be larger vessels. French pelagic trawlers also operate in this area. Because this site is adjacent to the recently agreed UK-Faeroese Median Line (S.I. 1999 No. 2031) there remains confusion as to the precise UK/Faeroese fishing limits in practice.

Waste Management: Enforcement

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much was spent on the  (a) enforcement of legislation and  (b) prosecution of offences relating to illegal waste activity in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much was spent on the  (a) enforcement and  (b) prosecution of illegal waste activity in each of the last five years; and how much of this cost has been recovered through the courts.

Joan Ruddock: Flycapture, the national database of fly-tipping incidents records the amount spent by local authorities in England on the following enforcement actions:
	(i) duty of care inspections;
	(ii) fixed penalty notices;
	(iii) formal cautions;
	(iv) injunctions;
	(v) investigations;
	(vi) prosecutions; and
	(vii) warning letters.
	These data have only been available since the year 2006-07. Flycapture records enforcement action that has been carried out with the aim of preventing the illegal disposal of waste, or fly-tipping. It does not record data on all illegal waste activity. In 2006-07, local authorities spent around £24.6 million on enforcement. This figure is calculated using standard costings for different types of enforcement.
	National data on how much local authorities have spent on enforcement and which has been recovered through the courts is not available.
	Data from Flycapture is available to download electronically on DEFRAs Flycapture website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/flytippinq/fly capture-data.htm
	Additionally, in recent years, the Environment Agency has typically spent approximately £14 million per annum on the enforcement and prosecution of illegal waste activity. This figure represents the full costs incurred by the Environment Agency and does not take into account any costs they may recover through the courts.
	Costs recovered through the criminal courts, in respect of successful investigations and prosecutions, over the previous five years were as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003 1,006,704 
			 2004 641,030 
			 2005 912,969 
			 2006 685,141 
			 2007 1,007,293 
		
	
	Recovered costs cover all cases that involve waste, breaches and incidents.

Departmental Opinion Polls

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what polling companies held contracts with his Department centrally in 2007-08; and what  (a) surveys,  (b) questionnaires and  (c) other services each provided.

Gareth Thomas: My Department has contracted Ipsos MORI to produce stakeholder surveys, the results of which are used to understand departmental reputation and to measure departmental performance and capability. The 2007-08 framework comprises a mix of five quantitative and qualitative surveys of different customer groups.
	It is possible that other companies may have been contracted to provide ad hoc polling services however this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Standards

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what projects sponsored by his Department were subject to Gateway reviews in each of the last four years; what status each project was assigned under such reviews; how much his Department spent on Gateway reviews in each such year; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 15 May 2008
	The BERR-sponsored programmes and projects in the following list were subject to 'medium' or 'high' risk OGC Gateway Reviews in each of the last four years. Gateway reports, including the findings and status, are conducted on a confidential basis for Senior Responsible Owners (SROs). We do not make this information routinely public.
	 2007-08
	RSS Discovery Replacement Project
	Dispute Resolution Review - New Services Project
	HECToR
	Easter Bush Research Centre
	CHAMP
	Business Support Simplification Programme
	BLISS NIMR
	Enabling the Future (2 Gateway Reviews in 2007/08)
	CHIPS - Information Processing System
	Digital Switchover Programme
	Sellafield PBO Competition
	LLWR PBO Competition
	Magnox South Competition
	CEH Transition and Integration Programme CO3031
	CCS Demonstration Programme
	Research Councils Shared Services Centre Implementation Project
	Debt Relief Orders
	 2006-07
	Easter Bush Research Centre
	Data Improvement Programme
	Company Law Reform Programme
	HR Operational Efficiency Project
	Competition for a PRO for the Sellafield SLC
	Diamond Light Source
	Service Transformation and Restructuring Programme (STAR)
	Research Councils Shared Services Centre Implementation Project
	Digital Switchover Programme
	CHIPS - Information Processing System
	UK Trade and Investment E-Business Programme - CRM Project
	NDA DRIGG Competition (2 Gateway Reviews in 2006-07)
	UKAEA Winfrith Site Closure Programme
	RRS Charles Darwin Replacement (RRS James Cook)
	UKTI 5 Year Strategy and Implementation
	HECToR
	NIMR RENEWAL
	Two Roof Strategy Programme
	Business Support Simplification Programme
	Shared Primary Resource Information Environment
	HR Operational Efficiency Project
	RCUK Efficiency Delivery Project
	Next Generation Back Office Project
	 2005-06
	Consumer Direct Transition to OFT
	Company Law Reform Programme
	Pirbright Site Redevelopment
	D3900 (RHILW Encapsulation, Immobilisation & Storage Facility)
	Efficiency Delivery Programme
	SGHWR
	Trade Marks Integration and EDM Programme
	National Physical Laboratory Upgrade Project
	Consumer Direct
	Digital Switchover Programme
	Finance Excellence Plan Programme
	SGHWR
	HECToR
	Flexible Computing Project
	MATRIX 2
	RCUK Efficiency Delivery Project
	Account Services Update - MENTOR
	CHIPS - Information Processing System
	International Trade Single Window
	Business Support Transformation Programme
	XNP Partnering Project
	Efficiency Delivery Programme
	Two Roof Strategy Programme
	 2004-05
	Information Centre Project
	Research Administration Programme (RAP)
	LLW Facilities Project
	Business.gov
	Efficiency Programme
	HECToR
	ICT Unit Project (P)
	Consumer Direct
	HPC(X) - High Performance Computing
	D3900 (RHILW Encapsulation, Immobilisation and Storage Facility)
	Digital Switchover Programme
	RCUK Administration Strategy
	Efficiency Programme
	UKAEA Winfrith Site Closure Programme
	Two Roof Strategy Programme
	Trade Marks Integration and EDM Programme
	NDA Programme
	RRS Charles Darwin Replacement (RRS James Cook)
	Euro Conversion Programme
	Consumer Direct
	Information Centre Project
	A key principle of Gateway Reviews is that they are cost neutral. However, where there is a shortfall in Civil Service Gateway Reviewers, suitably accredited external resource may be used. BERR is unable to identify the individual costs for each Gateway Review undertaken as this information is not specifically recorded.

Small Businesses: Bureaucracy

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress the Better Regulation Executive is making towards its target of reducing red tape for small businesses by 25 per cent. by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: In December 2007, 19 Simplification Plans were published, showing more than 700 measures to reduce the burdens of complying with regulations. Over 280 of these measures have already been delivered saving businesses £800 million per year. Examples of include:
	 Simpler law for smaller businesses (BERR):
	Smaller businesses stand to benefit from substantial rewrite of company law. Coupled with better guidance, new provisions are expected to lower third party costs and make compliance easier. Conservative estimate of £2 million annual savings delivered.
	 Changes to small b usi ness rate r elief (Communities):
	Small firms eligible for small business rate relief no longer have to register for relief annually. £3 million annual savings delivered, and expected to rise to £11 million by 2010.
	 Small f irms audit requirements (Financial Services Authority):
	Removed the need for 3,400 small firms to have a statutory audit, saving £12.9 million per year. Copies of these plans are available online at:
	http://www.berr.gov\uk/bre/policy/simplifyingexistingregulation/simplificationplans/2007/page44068.html
	Our Enterprise Strategy published alongside the Budget, also contained significant new proposals to reduce regulation. This includes examining whether small firms can be either exempted from new regulation or be subject to specifically tailored approaches. The Government will also consult on the introduction of regulatory budgets.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Pay

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received from the chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on staff  (a) pay and  (b) grading.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is the established practice that Maritime and Coastguard Agency chief executives have regular meetings with DfT Ministers, at which, any aspect of Agency business can be discussed.

Sea Rescue: Strikes

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency arrangements were made by the Maritime and Coastguards Agency during each of the last three strikes by coastguards; and what further contingency arrangements have been identified as necessary in the event of a strike by coastguards lasting four days.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The UKs maritime emergency response is provided by a co-operative partnership of Government Departments, emergency services and other organisations. During the three 24-hour periods of strike action by some Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff in March and April, the Agency worked with its partner organisations to maintain UK emergency response and search and rescue co-ordination capabilities. This was achieved using a combination of well-rehearsed internal contingency measures (such as employing existing technology to pair rescue co-ordination centres, where necessary), redeploying experienced managers, establishing a national strategic support centre and by co-ordinating closely with other search and rescue operators. In addition, the Agency ensured that information about MCA services during strike was widely disseminated to its customers.
	The Agency will approach contingency planning for any future strike action by coastguards in a similar manner.

Departmental Translation Services

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on translation services into  (a) Welsh and  (b) other languages by her Department, associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05, (iii) 2005-06, (iv) 2006-07 and (v) 2007-08.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Departments expenditure by financial year on translations services is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  £ 
			 2003-04 114,191 
			 2004-05 51,304 
			 2005-06 61,319 
			 2006-07 29,942 
			 2007-08 61,329 
		
	
	Analysing this data to identify departmental expenditure on translation into  (a) Welsh and  (b) other languages is not held centrally and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	The Departments agencies have supplied the following information on their expenditure on translations services.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Planning Inspectorate 93,047 96,082 64,152 67,890 59,215 
			 Fire Service College    75 30 
			 QE2 Conference Centre      
		
	
	The Fire Service College can supply data for financial year 2006-07 and 2007-08. They could provide previous years expenditure only at disproportionate cost. Detailed expenditure on translation into  (a) Welsh and  (b) other languages could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	Ordnance Survey could identify spend on translations services only at disproportionate cost.
	Records of the expenditure on translation by non-departmental public bodies are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Eco-Towns

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings Ministers in her Department have had with each of the 15 short-listed eco-town bidders.

Caroline Flint: Neither the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government or Ministers in her Department have held meetings with representatives of bidders from the shortlisted eco-town bidders. Ministerial meetings will be held with them all in due course.

Eco-Towns Challenge Panel

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the role and purpose of the Eco-Towns Challenge Panel is; whether it will provide advice on which eco-towns proposed should be submitted for planning approval; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how the members of the Eco-Towns Challenge panel were selected; what the basis was of the establishment of the panel; how much it is estimated to cost each year; and what remuneration is paid to its members.

Caroline Flint: The Eco-towns Challenge was set up specifically to be a short-term independent panel that would work with bidders to improve their schemes during the first stage of the process for taking eco-towns forward (as set out in Eco-townsLiving a greener future).
	Members of the panel were selected for their expertise in matters of environment, sustainability, transport and design. Each member will be paid the Government rate of £350 per day when they are working for the panel. At present three panel meetings have been scheduled in May and June, but we anticipate a further round of meetings.

Eco-Towns: Planning Permission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the location is of each eco-town bid made to her Department which has not been short-listed.

Caroline Flint: A list of the bids which were not on the shortlist published on 3 April is set out in the consultation document Eco-townsLiving a greener future. Based on the information received in relation to these bids, the areas in which they are located are set out as follows:
	
		
			  Region  Scheme name  Borough/district/city 
			 East Midlands(1) Kingston Rushcliffe 
			 East Midlands Grovewood Burton and South Derbyshire 
			 East Midlands Burtoft Boston 
			 East Land North of Harlow Harlow 
			 East Easton Park Uttlesford 
			 East The Cambridge Light Railway and Cambridge Heath, a sustainable country town Cambridge 
			 East North Weald Epping Forest 
			 East Boxted Wood Eco Town Braintree/Uttlesford 
			 East Alconbury Airfield Huntingdonshire 
			 East Marks Tey Colchester/ Braintree 
			 East Peterborough EcoTown Peterborough 
			 East Thorpe Wood Broadlands 
			 East Tilbury Thurrock 
			 East Mereham New Community East Cambridgeshire 
			 East Sculthorpe Airfield South Cambridgeshire 
			 East Waterbeach (Denny St. Francis) Cambridgeshire 
			 East Thurleigh North Bedford/ Mid-Bedford 
			 East Thamesgate Thurrock 
			 North East Causey Park Gateshead 
			 North East Stockton Eco Town Stockton-on-Tees 
			 North East Cambois North Tyneside 
			 North West Wardle Crewe and Nantwich 
			 North West Eco-Town Carrington Trafford 
			 North West Derwent Forest Allerdale 
			 South East Airtrack Rail Bracknell Forest/Wokingham 
			 South East Redhill Aerodrome Tandridge District, Reigate and Banstead 
			 South East Dunsfold Park Waverley 
			 South East Sittingbourne Swale 
			 South East Greenway Aylesbury Vale 
			 South East Micheldever Station Market Town (MSMT) Winchester 
			 South East Shipton Eco-town Cherwell 
			 South East The Surrey/London borders EcoTown Reigate and Banstead 
			 South East Westcott Aylesbury Vale 
			 West Midlands The Throckmorton Airfield Sustainable Community Wychavon 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) Clifton Gate York 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) The Stainforth and Hatfield Eco Town Initiative Doncaster 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) Thorp Arch Leeds 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) Willow Green Selby 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside Micklefield Leeds 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) The Greens Leeds 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside(1) Darringfield Wakefield 
			 (1 )A further review of locations is taking place in Rushcliffe and in Leeds city region as set out in the consultation document.

Private Sector: Pensions

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many private contractors providing public services have provided contracted out, final-salary based defined benefit pension scheme or a defined contribution scheme to new starters working on those contracts;
	(2)  how many private contractors providing public services have stakeholder pension schemes for new starters on those contracts;
	(3)  how many private contractors providing public services who have stakeholder pension schemes for new starters on those contracts match employee contributions of more than six per cent.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally. Where public services contracts involve a transfer of staff from a public sector organisation to a private sector service provider (or a subsequent retender of that contract where TUPE applies), the Code of Practice on Workforce Matters in Public Sector Service Contracts may apply. This code does not apply across the whole of the public sector: local government has a separate code.
	Where the Code of Practice on Workforce Matters does apply, it will be for the relevant Government Department to monitor the implementation of the code, including in relation to pensions provision by service providers.

Convergence Think Tank

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members of the Convergence Think Tank are; what its terms of reference are; and on what dates it has met since its establishment.

Andy Burnham: The term Convergence Think Tank (CTT) denotes the project rather than a group of individuals. Its objectives are to:
	consider the opportunities and challenges facing a converged broadcasting, telecommunications and new media market;
	highlight areas where the Government can do more to promote the development of the market and innovation and growth, as well as empowering and protecting consumers;
	consider the future form and provision of public service content, building on the outputs from the Ofcom review of public service broadcasting which is currently under way;
	actively engage in debate with key stakeholders; and
	draw conclusions with a view to informing Government decisions on future policy development, including the case for any future legislative changes.
	The work of the CTT is guided by a steering group of senior representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and HM Treasury, and the four independent CTT advisors, Robin Foster, Chris Earnshaw, Tess Read and John Willis; Ofcom attend as independent observers. The Steering group has met on 28 January, 18 February, 6 March, 25 March and 28 April this year. In addition, the first three in a series of CTT seminars were held on 7 February, 18 March and 22 April.

Football

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support for grassroots football; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department has not made a recent assessment of the adequacy of support for grassroots football but, on 7 May, we announced a new three year funding deal with the Football Foundation. We will continue to provide £15 million each year to the Foundation matched by The Football Association and the Premier League.
	Since its creation in July 2000, the Football Foundation has invested in over 5,000 projects worth £650 million and is the country's largest funder of grassroots football.

National Lottery: Tickets

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many National Lottery tickets were sold in each month since November 2006.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Camelot does not report the number of National Lottery tickets sold. However, it does report total National Lottery sales on a monthly basis and these can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Month  Sales (£ million) 
			  2006  
			 November 450.7 
			 December 459.5 
			  2007  
			 January 359.4 
			 February 384.6 
			 March 453.4 
			 April 354.1 
			 May 361.7 
			 June 447.6 
			 July 362.1 
			 August 364.5 
			 September 488.4 
			 October 374.1 
			 November 405.8 
			 December 471.0 
			  2008  
			 January 419.4 
			 February 435.8 
		
	
	Figures are based on weekly sales which do not necessarily coincide with the exact start and end days of the calendar month.
	Additional comments: In line with lotteries around the world, monthly fluctuations in sales occur as a result of rollovers, jackpot sizes and seasonal variations.

Sports: Females

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the percentage of girls and women who regularly participate in sport and physical activity.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department commissions, in partnership with several of its NDPBs the Taking Part survey which is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over. The latest available data is from July 2006 to July 2007.
	Taking Part data shows that 46 per cent. of women had participated in an active sport at least once during the previous four weeks prior to completing the survey. It also shows that 18 per cent. of women had participated in moderate intensity level sport for at least 30 minutes on at least three separate days during the week prior to completing the survey. Information about the definitions can be found in Progress report on PSA3: Final estimates from year two at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Publications/archive_2007/takingpart_estyr2.htm
	A child survey was appended to the main survey from January 2006 and, in households containing at least one child aged 11 to 15, an interview was sought with a randomly selected child. Data from the first year of the child survey shows that 92 per cent. of girls aged 11 to 15 had participated in an active sport during the previous four weeks prior to completing the survey, and 82 per cent. of girls had participated in this way outside school lessons.
	Almost two-thirds of girls had participated in an active sport outside school lessons in the week prior to completing the survey (63 per cent.).

Bail Accommodation and Support Service: Gloucestershire

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners are housed in bail hostels in Gloucestershire.

David Hanson: I understand this question to refer to the Bail Accommodation and Support Service. These are not bail hostels. The service provides accommodation in flats and houses with up to five people sharing, and support for users. As at 15 May there were two defendants and one offender at the end of sentence in the service in Gloucestershire, where there is provision for five people.

Courts: Speech Impaired

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what  (a) procedures and  (b) protections apply in (i) magistrates courts and (ii) the Crown court for defendants with a severe stammer.

Maria Eagle: The court has a duty to ensure that defendants can fully participate in the proceedings, which will include providing assistance where necessary to those with communication difficulties. This might include, for example, ordering the use of an intermediary to assist the defendant to give evidence. A judicial Practice Direction was issued on 25 April 2007 giving guidance to the Crown court and magistrates courts on the treatment of vulnerable defendants. The Practice Direction can be found at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/criminal/procrules_fin/contents/practice_direction/pd_consolidated.htm

Departmental Energy

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken to reduce its energy consumption in the last 12 months; and what his Departments expenditure on energy was in  (a) the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available and  (b) the immediately preceding 12 months.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007 and has since produced a Sustainable Development Action Plan setting out how the estate intends to reach carbon neutral status by 2012. This involves reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency through sustainable building construction and operation. In addition, both HM Prison Service and HM Courts Service have developed BREEAM assessments that enables the procurement of sustainable and energy efficient new builds and major refurbishments.
	The spend on energy in 2006-07 and 2007-08 was as follows:
	
		
			   Spend (£) 
			  2006-07  
			 HM Prison Service 47,454,042 
			 Land Registry 2,738,381 
			 HM Courts Service 18,516,245 
			 Tribunals Service 411,472 
			 HQ 1,645,888 
			 Total spend 70,766,028 
			   
			  2007-08  
			 HM Prison Service 38,945,902 
			 Land Registry 2,404,375 
			 HM Courts Service 20,344,511 
			 Tribunals Service 558,913 
			 HQ 1,341,396 
			 Total spend 63,595,097

Electoral Register

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to identify on electoral registers the person in any given household who  (a) completes the electoral registration form and  (b) certifies that the information given is true.

Bridget Prentice: The present system of household registration enables any occupant of a household to complete the prescribed annual canvass form. However, the person completing the form is required to certify that the information they supply is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge by providing a signature and by printing their name. Also electors who complete a rolling registration form on an individual basis are required to sign that form.
	As all completed registration forms are held by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) it is not necessary for details about the person completing the registration form to be identified on the electoral register. If the ERO has doubts about the validity of a persons registration details he may initiate or conduct a review. In addition, any individual may also make an objection to the ERO about another persons registration details at any time. The Electoral Administration Act 2006 also made it an offence to supply false information on an electoral registration form, which is punishable by a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine not exceeding £5,000.

Polling Stations: Disabled

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission on the access of people with disabilities to polling stations; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: My Department has regular discussions with the Electoral Commission on a range of electoral issues, including issues concerning the accessibility of the electoral process. The Government are keen to ensure that the electoral process is accessible to all electors. The Electoral Administration Act 2006 extends the duty placed on local authorities to review polling places to ensure that, as far as is reasonable and practicable, they are convenient and accessible for electors. Under the Act, local authorities must carry out a full review of polling places at least every four years, and representations can be made to the Electoral Commission in respect of reviews carried out by local authorities.
	Under the Electoral Administration Act, if certain prescribed persons, e.g. a local councillor, or 30 or more local electors, consider that the designated polling place is not suitable, they can make representations to the Electoral Commission to review the local authoritys decision.

Afghanistan: Females

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the government of Afghanistan on the status of women in that country;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the government of Afghanistan on tackling violence against women in that country.

Meg Munn: We are aware of the difficult situation many women in Afghanistan still face. Our Embassy officials in Kabul regularly discuss womens rights with members of the Afghan government, non-governmental organisations and parliamentarians, highlighting their importance.
	The Government work to enhance the status of women in three main ways: through policy engagement with the Afghan government; through support for national programmes and services, which benefit women; and through bilateral programmes.
	Despite the challenges, progress has been made. Over a third of children now in school are girls. We have committed over £35 million to support the Afghan governments micro-finance programme, giving women in particular better access to finance. 27 per cent. of seats in the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament are now held by womenmore than in the House of Commons, which is around 20 per cent.
	Our major support is channelled through the Afghan government, since gender inequality is a deeply embedded and long-term problem which needs a strategic approach. We have worked, for example, with the government to ensure that gender equality is integrated into the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.
	We are also giving £500,000 to support a five-year Womens Empowerment programme (2005-10), implemented by the non-governmental organisation, Womankind. The programme focuses on promoting womens equal participation in governance, building awareness of womens rights among civil society and policy makers, and on providing educational, health, community and psycho-social support to women affected by violence and conflict.
	We funded the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, with £500,000, to implement its three-year Action Plan (2006-08). A large part of the Commission's work focuses on womens rights, including documenting and tackling violence against women. In addition we have funded a non-governmental organisation, Global Rights, to produce a detailed report on domestic abuse in Afghanistan, due to be published shortly.

Bangladesh: Politics and Government

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the political situation in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: When the Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh caretaker government., Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, met with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in March, he reaffirmed his government's firm resolve to hold free, fair and credible parliamentary elections in Bangladesh by December 2008. The UK welcomes efforts made by the caretaker government towards achieving this goal. We continue to encourage the caretaker government to ensure all commitments are fulfilled. We believe credible elections that can sustain democracy in the longer term are essential for Bangladesh.

Spain: Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conformity of the policy of Spain on military freight crossing the Spain-Gibraltar border with Spain's NATO obligations; and what representations he has made to the Spanish government on the matter.

Jim Murphy: The Government have raised the issues of restrictions with the Spanish government directly and will continue to do so. We believe the imposition of such restrictions is inappropriate. Spain is an important North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally and we are therefore determined to work closely with Spain to find a constructive solution.

UN Human Rights Council

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UN Human Rights Council.

Meg Munn: The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is now fully up and running after an institution building phase begun in 2006. Achieving UK human rights priorities remains difficult with the majority of members wishing to prevent the body effectively tackling country specific problems. However the HRC has, largely through UK/EU action, taken some encouraging steps, including special sessions on Burma and Darfur and discussions of a wide range of country specific situations during open session. These sessions are webcast and open to non-governmental organisations and interest groups.
	The introduction of the HRCs Universal Periodic Review marks the first time that every UN members human rights record will be systematically examined. The UK was one of the first countries to be examined in April. We used this opportunity to provide a model for engagement that we encourage others to follow, including by addressing the challenges we face.
	The UK remains committed to seeing complementary action on human rights in other parts of the UN, in particular through the General Assemblys Third Committee. We will continue to resist those who argue that human rights are only a matter for the HRC in Geneva. They must be promoted in all parts of the UN.
	We continue to see the HRC as a body that can deliver valuable results in human rights on the ground. It will take time and effort to realise this aim. The UK is ready to engage fully to see the Council increasingly fulfil its potential.

United Nations: Internet

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts at the United Nations on the regulation of access to the internet by Member States.

Meg Munn: The UN World Summit on the Information Summit in 2005 reaffirmed the right of individuals to access information and encouraged governments to meet their responsibilities in ensuring equitable access to Information Communication Technology, including the internet.
	In taking forward the summit recommendations, the UN Secretary-General established an Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The forum provides a framework for dialogue between governments, as well as the private sector and civil society, on a range of public policy issues relating to the internet. The UK is actively engaged in the IGF and will be represented at its next meeting in Hyderabad, India, from 3-6 December 2008.
	The Government remain concerned that access to information is greatly restricted in many countries around the world. We continue to raise our concerns on this, and other related issues, as part of our ongoing human rights dialogue with other countries, both bilaterally and in international fora.

United Nations: Peacekeeping Operations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the UN troop contributor governments on the conduct of troops on UN missions, including their treatment of women.

Meg Munn: We believe strongly that UN personnel must uphold the highest standards of behaviour. The vast majority of UN peacekeepers uphold those standards while doing important work in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
	The UN is responsible for tackling any individual allegations of misconduct with troop contributing countries. We have therefore not raised this with governments, but we do pursue the issue with the UN. The UK played a key role in the 2006 negotiations that established a model Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UN and troop contributing countries, which lays out the actions that will be taken if any troops fall short of prescribed standards of conduct. We were also involved in negotiations last year which made the MoU more robust. We support the UN Secretary-Generals zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel and we press for language supporting that policy, and call for troop contributing countries to take appropriate preventative action, to be included in all UN Security Council resolutions on peacekeeping missions. The peace support operations training that the UK provides for troops of other countries also covers matters of conduct, including the importance of protecting civilians (including women) in accordance with international law.

Burma: Storms

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with  (a) relevant UN agencies,  (b) the European Commission,  (c) non-governmental organisations and  (d) other countries on co-ordinating the international emergency relief aid response to Burma following Cyclone Nargis; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: In addressing the crisis in Burma since Cyclone Nargis hit on 2 May, I have spoken to a number of international partners. These include: Sir John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator; Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid; Henrietta Fore, USAID Administrator and Director of US Foreign Assistance; and Josette Sheran, Executive Director of the World Food Programme. I pressed for the extraordinary meeting of EU Development Ministers in Brussels on 13 May at which I spoke to a number of my EU counterparts. I have also spoken to the Burmese and Chinese Ambassadors to the UK. I held meetings with non-governmental organisation (NGO) groupings on the crisis on 7 and 14 May.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms the Government has put in place to ensure that any projects  (a) directly and  (b) indirectly funded by the UK in the Palestinian Occupied Territories do not contravene the rulings of the International Court of Justice relating to third state obligations not to assist or maintain an illegal situation.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) provides humanitarian support to the Occupied Palestinian Territories through the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and provides support aligned with the priorities of the Palestinian Authority, as set out in their Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. We carefully assess all of our assistance to ensure that our aid is not used to assist or maintain the situation created by the construction of the Israeli separation barrier inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory including in and around East Jerusalem.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to ensure that no UK funding for the Palestinian Occupied Territories will be used  (a) to upgrade crossings built into the West Bank barrier where it is situated within occupied Palestinian territory and  (b) to build permanent infrastructure at checkpoints within the West Bank.

Douglas Alexander: The UK ensures its funds are not used to render aid or assistance to the construction of crossings built into the separation barrier where it is located within the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Israeli check points in the West Bank.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) has robust monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure that our aid to the Palestinians is used for the purposes it is given for. DFID disburses funds through transparent mechanisms managed by the UN, EC, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Bank and reputable international firms.

Further Education

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the completion rate of adults enrolled on a level three further education course was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council publish success rates in a Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest available SFR contains data for 2005/06 and is available in the Library and at:
	www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000723/index.shtml
	In 2005/06 the success rate for learners aged 19+ doing level 3 long courses in Further Education (which excludes provision delivered through Work Based Learning or Train to Gain) was 63 per cent. This was an increase from 54 per cent. in 2003/04 and 58 per cent. in 2004/05.

Banks: Regulation

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the adequacy of the Basel 2 regulatory regime; whether he plans to develop a Basel 3 regime; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The Basel II framework, which makes improvements to the alignment of capital requirements to underlying risks taken, has been adopted in the EU through the capital requirements directive (CRD), The Treasury worked closely with the FSA and industry on EU negotiations on the CRD. That directive came into force on 1 January 2008. The Financial Services Authority has maintained a number of industry standing groups to deal with any issues arising from the implementation of the directive.
	In October last year the G7 asked the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) to analyse the underlying causes of the ongoing turbulence in the world's financial markets. The FSF reported to G7 Finance Ministers in April, who endorsed the report. The FSF's recommendations included enhancements to the prudential oversight of capital, liquidity and risk management, including strengthening the prudential framework for financial institutions' securitisation and off-balance sheet activities under Basel II.
	The Chancellor maintains a close dialogue with the financial services sector on a wide range of issues.

Child Tax Credit: Warrington

Helen Southworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Warrington South constituency were in receipt of child tax credit in each year since the tax credit was introduced; and how much was paid in such credits in that area in each such year.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC do not produce statistics separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.
	However, estimates of the number of families with tax credits in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 in each constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes, are produced in Table 3 of the HMRC publications Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards. Geographical Analysis for each relevant year. These are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	The number of out-of-work families includes those who are receiving the equivalent level of support via income support and jobseekers allowance.
	Information on the average annual entitlement for families in each constituency is also available in Table 3 of these publications.
	The same information for 2006-07 is due to be published on 20 May 2008.

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) 0800,  (b) 0845 and  (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to his Department.

Angela Eagle: The following tables and comments detail what non-geographic (0800, 0845 and 0870) telephone numbers for the public are in use by the Chancellor's Department and reporting agencies.
	 (a) 0800 numbers
	The 0800 telephone numbers which are regularly in use are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number  Description  Administered by 
			 0800 788 887 Tax Evasion Hotline HMRC 
			 0800 595 000 Customs Confidential HMRC 
			 0800 056 0585 Special Needs Line (textphone) NS&I 
		
	
	In addition the Royal Mint has a series of 61 numbers with an 0800 prefix, which are used in rotation for marketing and advertising campaign purposes.
	 (b) 0845 numbers
	A summary of the number of 0845 numbers is shown in the following table. This is followed by more detailed information on which 0845 numbers for the public are in use by the Chancellor's Department and each reporting agency.
	
		
			  Department/Agency  Number of 0845 numbers for use by the public 
			 Debt Management Office 16 
			 Government Actuary's Department 0 
			 HM Revenue and Customs (1)139 
			 HM Treasury 0 
			 National Savings and Investments 8 
			 The Office of Government Commerce 1 
			 OGC Buying Solutions 1 
			 Royal Mint 6 
			 Valuation Office Agency 2 
			 (1 )Estimated number of public facing helpline services. 
		
	
	 Debt Management Office (DMO)
	The following table of numbers appears on the DMO website which the public would have access to.
	
		
			  Name  Number 
			 Chief Executive 0845 357 6533 
			 Deputy Chief Executive 0845 357 6531 
			 Chief Operating Officer 0845 357 6520 
			 Head of Business Delivery 0845 357 6544 
			 Head of Finance, Risk Management and Control 0845 357 6624 
			 Head of Markets and PWLB 0845 357 6539 
			 Co-Head of Policy Team 0845 357 6512 
			 Co-Head of Policy Team 0845 357 6623 
			 Senior Quantitative Analyst 0845 357 6516 
			 Head of Gilt and Cash Dealing 0845 357 6517 
			 Press Officer and Policy Advisor 0845 357 6532 
			 Assistant Press Officer and Policy Advisor 0845 357 6525 
			 Secretary to the PWLB 0845 357 6613 
			 HR Manager 0845 357 6579 
			 Senior Policy Advisor 0845 357 6571 
			 Website Team 0845 357 6500 
		
	
	 HM Revenue and Customs
	HMRC's 0845 telephone numbers for public use are either to promote general helpline services, where customers instigating contact are encouraged to call, or appear on correspondence and forms, for customers to make specific inquiries. The main public facing helpline services are listed in the following table, while the full list of 0845 numbers is not held centrally and could be established only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  HMRC 0845 prefixed telephone services  Number 
			 BillPay Helpline 0845 302 1423 
			 Charities Helpline 0845 302 0203 
			 Child Benefit 0845 302 1444 
			 Child BenefitGuardian Helpline 0845 302 1464 
			 Child Benefit NI 0845 603 2000 
			 Child Benefit (Textphone) 0845 302 1474 
			 Child Trust Fund 0845 302 1470 
			 Child Trust Fund (Textphone) 0845 366 7870 
			 Construction Industry Scheme 0845 366 7899 
			 Construction Industry Scheme (Textphone) 0845 366 7894 
			 Contract Advice Line (IR35) 0845 303 3535 
			 Contract Advice Line (IR35) Fax 0845 302 3535 
			 Corporation Tax (Self Assessment Orderline) 0845 300 6555 
			 Corporation Tax (Self Assessment Orderline) Fax 0845 300 6777 
			 Employers Helpline 0845 714 3143 
			 Employers Helpline (Textphone) 0845 602 1380 
			 Employers Orderline 0845 764 6646 
			 Flood Helpline 0845 300 0157 
			 Foot and Mouth Helpline 0845 366 1207 
			 Gross Registration (Bank and Building Soc. interest) 0845 980 0645 
			 How to Pay Helpline 0845 366 7816 
			 Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) 0845 604 1701 
			 London Enquiry Line 0845 302 1455 
			 National Insurance and NMW (textphone) 0845 915 3296 
			 National Insurance Contracted Out Pensions 0845 915 0150 
			 National Insurance Contributions Office 0845 302 1479 
			 National Insurance Contributions Office (textphone) 0845 915 8610 
			 National Insurance Deficiency Helpline 08459155996 
			 National Insurance North Wales area 0845 766 0830 
			 National Insurance Pensions (Individuals) 0845 915 0106 
			 National Insurance Pensions (Individuals textphone) 084 5915 8608 
			 National Insurance Registrations Number Allocation 0845 915 7006 
			 National Insurance Registrations (Lost and mislaid cards and numbers) 0845 915 5670 
			 National Insurance Self Employed Helpline 0845 915 4655 
			 National Minimum Wage 0845 600 0678 
			 National Minimum Wage Information Service 0845 845 0360 
			 New Employers Helpline 0845 607 0143 
			 Newly Self Employed Helpline 0845 915 4515 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (Direct Taxes) 0845 605 5999 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (Fax) 0845 366 7828 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (Tax Credits) 0845 300 3938 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (Textphone) 0845 366 7805 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (VAT Online) 0845 010 8500 
			 Online Services Helpdesk (VAT Online) Fax 0845 010 8501 
			 PA YE and SA (Textphone Belfast) 0845 607 6078 
			 PA YE and SA (Textphone Bradford) 0845 366 7818 
			 PA YE and SA (Textphone Cardiff) 0845 302 1408 
			 PA YE and SA (Textphone Sunderland) 0845 302 1499 
			 PAYE and SA Bedfordshire and West Hertfordshire 0845 302 1458 
			 PA YE and SA Berkshire 0845 366 7810 
			 PAYE and SA Birmingham Solihull 0845 302 1437 
			 PAYE and SA Blind Persons Allowance Helpline 0845 366 7887 
			 PAYE and SA Bournemouth 0845 302 1451 
			 PAYE and SA Bristol and North Somerset 0845 302 1443 
			 PA YE and SA Cambridgeshire 0845 302 1453 
			 PAYE and SA Central Yorkshire 0845 302 1467 
			 PAYE and SA Centre 1 0845 070 3703 
			 PAYE and SA Chapel Warf 0845 300 0627 
			 PAYE and SA Claims Office 0845 366 7850 
			 PAYE and SA Cornwall and Plymouth 0845 366 7807 
			 PAYE and SA Cumbria 0845 302 1473 
			 PAYE and SA Devon 0845 366 7830 
			 PAYE and SA Dorset and Wiltshire 0845 302 1438 
			 PAYE and SA East Cheshire and South Lancashire 0845 302 1463 
			 PAYE and SA East Hants and Isle of Wight 0845 300 0628 
			 PAYE and SA East Hertfordshire and West Essex 0845 302 1460 
			 PAYE and SA East Lancashire 0845 302 1441 
			 PAYE and SA Glasgow Blythswood 0845 302 1476 
			 PAYE and SA Gloucester and North Wiltshire 0845 366 7840 
			 PAYE and SA Greater Belfast 0845 302 1469 
			 PAYE and SA Kent 0845 302 1431 
			 PAYE and SA Leicester and Northants 0845 302 1442 
			 PAYE and SA Lincolnshire 0845 302 1449 
			 PAYE and SA Lothians 0845 302 1409 
			 PAYE and SA Manchester 0845 302 1477 
			 PAYE and SA Merseyside 0845 302 1459 
			 PAYE and SA Midlands West 0845 366 7884 
			 PAYE and SA NEMA and Humber 0845 302 1414 
			 PAYE and SA Norfolk 0845 366 7851 
			 PAYE and SA North and South Wales 0845 300 3949 
			 PAYE and SA North West Lancashire 0845 302 1478 
			 PAYE and SA North West Midlands and Shropshire 0845 366 7815 
			 PAYE and SA North Yorkshire 0845 302 1433 
			 PAYE and SA Northern Ireland Counties 0845 302 1481 
			 PAYE and SA Northumbria 0845 302 1456 
			 PAYE and SA Nottingham and Derby 0845 302 1413 
			 PAYE and SA Oxon. and Bucks. 0845 302 1434 
			 PAYE and SA. Scotland Central 0845 302 1448 
			 PAYE and SA Scotland North 0845 302 1410 
			 PAYE and SA Scotland South and East 0845 302 1484 
			 PAYE and SA Scotland West 0845 302 1452 
			 PAYE and SA Sefton 0845 300 3939 
			 PAYE and SA Somerset 0845 302 1483 
			 PAYE and SA South Essex and Central Yorkshire 0845 366 1467 
			 PAYE and SA South Yorkshire 0845 366 7802 
			 PAYE and SA Staffordshire 0845 302 1436 
			 PAYE and SA Suffolk and North Essex 0845 366 7824 
			 PAYE and SA Surrey and Northamptonshire 0845 366 7825 
			 PAYE and SA Sussex 0845 366 7856 
			 PA YE and SA Tees Valley 0845 366 7865 
			 PAYE and SA Warwickshire 0845 366 7842 
			 PAYE and SA Wear and South Tyne 0845 366 7800 
			 PAYE and SA West Hampshire 0845 302 1400 
			 PAYE and SA West Lancashire and West Cheshire 0845 302 1462 
			 PAYE and SA West Wales 0845 302 1471 
			 PAYE and SA West Yorkshire and Craven 0845 302 1432 
			 PAYE and SA Worcester and Hereford 0845 302 1482 
			 Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline 0845 302 0900 
			 Probate and Inheritance Tax Orderline 0845 234 1000 
			 Residency National Insurance Contributions 0845 915 4811 
			 Residency Tax matters 0845 070 0040 
			 Self Assessment Debit Card Payment Line 0845 305 1000 
			 Self Assessment Helpline 0845 900 0444 
			 Self Assessment Orderline 0845 900 0404 
			 Self Assessment Orderline Fax 0845 900 0604 
			 Stamp Duty Land Tax Helpline 0845 603 0135 
			 Stamp Duty Land Tax Orderline 0845 302 1472 
			 Tax and Benefits Confidential 0845 608 6000 
			 Tax Credits 0845 300 3900 
			 Tax Credits (Textphone) 0845 300 3909 
			 Tax Credits Household Breakdown 0845 366 7864 
			 Tax Credits Orderline 0845 366 7820 
			 Tax Credits Overpayment Hardship 0845 302 1422 
			 Tax Credits Overpayment line (TC610) 0845 302 1429 
			 Tax Credits Payment Helpline 0845 366 1205 
			 Tax Credits Ready Reckoner 0845 366 7867 
			 Tax Credits Recovery line 0845 302 1420 
			 Tax Return Simplification Pilot 0845 302 1486 
			 Taxback on Bank and Building Society interest 0845 077 6543 
			 Taxes Orderline 0845 300 0504 
			 VAT Registration and Deregistration Carmarthen 0845 758 5831 
			 VAT Registration and Deregistration Grimsby 0845 039 0279 
			 VAT Registration and Deregistration Newry 0845 711 2114 
			 VAT Registration and Deregistration Wolverhampton 0845 039 0129 
			 VAT, Excise Customs and Duties 0845 010 9000 
			 VAT, Excise Customs and Duties (textphone) 0845 000 0200 
			 Welsh Language Service for Tax and Tax Credits 0845 302 1489 
			 Welsh Language Service for VAT, Excise, Customs 0845 010 0300 
			 Yacht Arrivals/Departures 0845 723 1110 
		
	
	 National Savings and Investments
	NSI has the following 0845 telephone numbers for the public.
	
		
			  Helpline name  Number 
			 General Inquiries/Service line. 0845 964 5000 
			 EASAcalls routed to General Inquiries 0845 366 6667 
			 NS&I Tesco Helpline(1) 0845 366 7007 
			 Treasurers Account inquiries(1) 0845 964 5777 
			 Postmasters Helpline 0845 366 0040 
			 Independent Financial Advisers Helpline 0845 971 5401 
			 Welsh Helpline 0845 602 0637 
			 Royal Horticultural Show Line 0845 300 1617 
			 (1 )Treasurers Account and the Tesco's helpline number will close on 30 April 2008. 
		
	
	 The Office of Government Commerce
	The Office of Government Commerce published telephone number is 0845 000 4999. By dialling this number, customers can access the OGC Service Desk which is the focal point for all customer inquiries.
	 OGC Buying Solutions
	Buying Solutions manages customer, supplier and colleague inquiries through a single dedicated helpline service on 0845 410 2222.
	 Royal Mint
	Royal Mint currently has six public facing 0845 numbers in operation used for receiving customer orders and inquiries shown in the following table.
	0845 60 88 222
	0845 60 88 300
	0845 60 88 333
	0845 60 88 444
	0845 60 88 555
	0845 60 99 666
	 Valuation Office Agency
	VOA has two public facing 0845 telephone numbers for council tax banding inquiries, 0845 602 1507 for properties in England and 0845 600 1748 for properties in Wales.
	 (c) 0870  n umbers
	With the exception of HMRC there are no 0870 prefixed telephone services for the public which are in use by the Chancellor's Department or agencies which report to him.
	Within HMRC, some investigation teams have 0870 telephone numbers, and because these appear on correspondence, they are available to the public. Details of these numbers are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Gaming Machines: Licensing

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of amusement arcades subject to amusement machine licence duty in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06,  (d) 2006-07 and  (e) 2007-08;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of amusement arcades subject to amusement machine licence duty there will be in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Angela Eagle: No breakdown of amusement machine licence duty (AMLD) for amusement arcades is available.

Poverty

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition his Department uses of relative poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Government monitor a number of poverty indicators for different demographic groups included in Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 2005-06, published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
	The definition of relative poverty underpinning the Government's objective to halve child poverty by 2010-11 uses a measure of the number of children living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median equivalised household income. Further details of this measure are set out in the HM Government PSA Delivery Agreement 9, October 2007.

Welfare Tax Credits: ICT

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the technical problems on the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) computer system which are preventing the resolution of the tax credits claim for 2004-05 by Mr. Marshall of Ferndown to be overcome; what the technical problems are; what estimate he has made of the number of HMRC customers who are similarly affected; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Exchequer Secretary (Angela Eagle) on 7 February 2008,  Official Report column 1374W, which explained that Tax Credit Office wrote to him on 6 February 2008.

Departmental ICT

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) male and  (b) female members of staff in her Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is given in the following table.
	Data for Blackberry and Personal Digital Assistants issued to staff for years 2005 until 2008 is shown in the table as follows.
	It would not be economically viable to provide data for years 2001-04.
	
		
			  Blackberry and PDA 
			   Male  Female 
			 2005 64 28 
			 2006 163 74 
			 2007 128 70 
			 2008 4 4 
		
	
	In addition to these numbers there are another four Personal Digital Assistants issued to male members of staff since 2001, however it is not possible to specify the year they were issued.

Offenders: Deportation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures she has implemented to assess the effectiveness of the policy of deporting foreign prisoners on completion of their sentences; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 May 2008
	We have made it perfectly clear that our objective is that foreign national prisoners should face deportation when they meet the relevant criteria and that deportation should happen as early as possible in their sentence. Over 4,200 foreign national prisoners have been removed or deported from the UK in 2007. This means that the UK Border Agency has removed over 80 per cent. more foreign national prisoners than in 2006.
	From this summer the agency will begin commencement of the automatic deportation provisions contained in the UK Borders Act 2007. The Act places a duty on the Secretary of State to make a deportation order in respect of a non-EEA national who has been sentenced to either a period of imprisonment of at least 12 months or a period of imprisonment of any length for a particularly serious offence, as listed under section 72 of the Nationality and Asylum Act, 2002). The provisions enable the agency to speed up the removals process by ensuring that unless the foreign criminal has an arguable asylum or human rights claim, they will only have a right of appeal from outside the UK.

Work Permits

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people granted entry into the United Kingdom on a working holiday visa have  (a) lost their immigration status and  (b) had to return to their country of origin in order to reapply for entry into the UK since the introduction of the points-based system.

Liam Byrne: The working holidaymaker scheme (WHS) will be abolished later this year when the new Youth Mobility Scheme under the Points Based System (PBS) is launched. All those who have valid working holiday visas granted before the abolition of the scheme will not lose their working holidaymaker status, and will be able to complete their working holiday.
	Working holidaymakers will remain able to switch in country into the Innovator or Businesspersons categories until those categories are closed down at the end of the summer, and those eligible under the current immigration rules to switch into employment in shortage occupations will be able to do so until the work permits provisions are closed down in the autumn. Since under the PBS it will not be possible to switch from Tier 5: youth mobility into Tier 1: highly skilled migrants, we announced, in anticipation of that, there would be no switching from the WHS into Tier 1 in our Statement of Intent, published on 5 December 2007. Working holidaymakers who wish to work in the UK as highly skilled migrants therefore need to return to their home country to apply for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) before it is closes at the end of the summer, or for Tier 1 (General) once HSMP has been closed. There are no figures available for how many working holidaymaker have returned home to apply for HSMP entry clearances.

Work Permits

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted working holiday visas in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The total number of working holidaymaker visas issued globally in each of the last five years for which visa statistics have been published are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001-02 46,078 
			 2002-03 49,365 
			 2003-04 59,822 
			 2004-05 69,504 
			 2005-06 52,600 
			  Source:   Annual Entry Clearance Statistics, UKBA Visa Services website.

Ambulance Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how each ambulance service performed against targets for  (a) category A eight minute response,  (b) category A 19 minute response and  (c) category B 19 minute response in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The ambulance response time data that is collected, and which includes performance against targets for category A eight minute and 19 minute responses, and category B 19 minute responses is published annually in the KA34 statistical bulletin. Ambulance response time data for 2007-08 is planned for publication by the Information Centre for health and social care in June 2008.
	The latest KA34 statistical bulletin, Ambulance Services, England, 2006-07 was published in June 2007 and copies are available in the Library and on the Information Centre for health and social cares website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statisticsanddatacollections/auditsand performance/ambulance/ambulanceservices-england-2006-07

Food: Salt

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance the Food Standards Agency provides to specific sub-groups of the population on dietary salt intake.

Dawn Primarolo: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends an average intake of 6 grams of salt a day for adults and children over the age of 11. Lower recommendations have been set, pro rata, for children under that age.
	Guidance on achieving these recommendations is on the FSAs website at:
	www.salt.gov.uk
	in written resources, and has been made more widely available though the FSAs mass media campaigns which have included specific projects targeted at providing information to particular sup groups such as parents, children, ethnic minorities and older people.

Hospitals: Greater London

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated by  (a) Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Greenwich,  (b) Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup,  (c) Princess Louise Hospital, Bromley and  (d) University College Hospital, Lewisham in (i) 1997 and (ii) the last year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Information is not available in the format requested. Data are not collected at individual hospital level but by national health service trust. The trusts that manage the specified hospitals are, respectively, Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust, Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust, Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust and The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust. We have assumed that my hon. Friend means the Princess Royal University Hospital, which is part of Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust, rather than Princess Louise Hospital, which is in Kensington, and the University Hospital, Lewisham, rather than the University College Hospital.
	In addition, we are unable to identify the number of patients treated. The following table therefore provides data for finished admission episodes (FAEs) for these trusts. A FAE is a period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients as a person may have more than one admission within the year. The latest available data are for 2006-07.
	
		
			  Total admissions to hospital for 2006-07 and 1997-98, for Queen Elizabeth  Hospital  NHS  Trust , Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS  Trust , Bromley  Hospitals  NHS  Trust  and The Lewisham  Hospital  NHS  Trust 
			  Total FAEs 
			  Trust name  1997-98  2006-07 
			 Queen Elizabeth hospital NHS trust 36,279 60,382 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS trust 39,417 39,211 
			 Bromley hospitals NHS trust 49,395 (1)60,700 
			 The Lewisham hospital NHS trust 34,824 54,613 
			 (1 )For 2006-07, the figure for Bromley hospitals NHS Trust includes data for the Orpington Treatment Centre.   Notes:  1. A FAE is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  2. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  3. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS, there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  4. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).   Source:   Hospital Episode Statistics, the Information Centre for health and social care.

Children: Maintenance

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what account the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will take of the savings and capital of non-resident parents  (a) before and  (b) after a application for maintenance is made by the resident parent.

James Plaskitt: Savings and capital can be taken into account only once maintenance has been applied for. A parent with care can apply for a variation to the standard maintenance calculation where the non-resident parent has significant assets, investments and other forms of capital, which amount to more than £65,000.
	However, a variation will be allowed only where it is "just and equitable" to do so. Broadly this means that the result of the variation must be fair taking account of all the circumstances of the case, and, in particular, the welfare of any child likely to be affected. This includes the child for whom maintenance is paid as well as any other children living with either parent.

Employment Services: Learning Disability

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department plans to take to improve the training available to people with a learning disability who are applying for jobs with the support of Jobcentre Plus.

Anne McGuire: A lack of skills and the need for training is only one of a number of barriers faced by people with a learning disability who want to take up paid work.
	We recognise the importance of working more closely and strategically with our key suppliers in order to help us improve delivery of services to customers, including where programmes provide training to support people with learning disabilities into jobs. Areas for improvement in training will also be driven through our management of contracts as well as Ofsted inspection and audit.
	Jobcentre Plus offers a range of support to help people move into work. Workstep is designed to support disabled people who have more complex barriers to work, including those with a learning disability. Providers will provide training which is appropriate to enable the disabled employee do their job. Around one third of Workstep participants have a learning disability. Others are helped by the Access to Work programme through which they can receive a grant to fund a support worker.
	We are working jointly with other Departments to improve work opportunities for people with a learning disability. The Getting A Life project is specifically aimed at getting the employment, education and local authority day services functions for people with a learning disability to work together in an integrated manner. The main focus is on people going through transition to adulthood.
	The project is being steered and funded by the Departments for Work and Pensions; Health; Innovation, Universities and Skills; and Children, Schools and Families; with the support of the Social Exclusion Task Force, Valuing People, and the Office for Disability Issues. Demonstration projects are being run in seven sites over a three year period from April 2008.
	In addition, the Government's Public Service Agreement for socially excluded adults is aimed in part, at increasing the number of adults with learning disabilities in employment. To help us achieve this, we are working with local government through the new Local Area Agreements and we are also working with a number of departments to consider what more central Government can do to help this group of people into work.

Free Nursery Places: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in Copeland constituency receive free nursery places.

Beverley Hughes: All three and four-year-olds are entitled to receive 12.5 hours of free provision for 38 weeks of the year, rising to 15 hours by 2010. 96 per cent. of all three-year-olds nationally, and nearly all four-year-olds access some free provision.
	The latest data we have, for 2007, shows that in Copeland 660 three-year-olds and 690 four-year-olds receive free part-time nursery places, across the maintained and private, voluntary and independent sectors.

Absenteeism: Yorkshire and the Humber

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of pupils in secondary education in each local authority in Yorkshire and the Humber was classed as persistent absentees in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The first year for which information is available on Persistent Absentees is 2005-06.
	The available information is given in the table, and was published as part of the Statistical First Release: Pupil Absence in Schools in England, including Pupil Characteristics, 2006/07 at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000775/index.shtml
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools( 1,)( )( 2) : Rates of persistent absentees2005/06 and 2006/07 by local authority area within Yorkshire and the Humber 
			Percentage of persistent absentees( 3) 
			2005/06  2006/07  Percentage point change 
			   Yorkshire and the Humber 8.4 7.6 -0.8 
			 370 Barnsley 6.7 6.8 0.1 
			 380 Bradford 9.3 8.3 -1.0 
			 381 Calderdale 7.7 6.9 -0.8 
			 371 Doncaster 8.1 83 0.2 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 6.6 6.3 -0.3 
			 810 Kingston Upon Hull, City of (4) 19.1 11.9 -7.2 
			 382 Kirklees 6.7 6.8 0.1 
			 383 Leeds 10.1 9.8 -0.3 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 8.3 7.6 -0.7 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 6.1 6.4 0.3 
			 815 North Yorkshire 5.5 4.8 -0.7 
			 372 Rotherham 8.9 8.0 -0.9 
			 373 Sheffield 9.3 7.7 -1.6 
			 384 Wake field 6.7 7.0 0.3 
			 816 York 6.2 6.5 0.3 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Excludes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Number of Persistent Absentees expressed as a percentage of the total number of enrolments. (4) For 2005/06 figures are as reported by schools. There are known quality issues with absence data provided by one school within this authority. A school level resubmission of absence data has been provided by the school but this has not updated the pupil level data upon which this analysis is based.  Source: School Census

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of children aged  (a) three and  (b) four years were in daycare settings for more than 12.5 hours a week in (i) Basingstoke constituency, (ii) Hampshire and (iii) England in each year for which records are available;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of children under the age of three years were attending daycare settings in  (a) Basingstoke constituency,  (b) Hampshire and  (c) England in each year for which records are available.

Beverley Hughes: The 2004 Parents Childcare Survey estimated that 35 per cent. of 0-2 year olds and 86 per cent. of 3-4 year olds had used some formal child care in the week before the survey. The following table shows what proportion of children in these age groups had used different types of formal provision.
	
		
			  Table 1: Use of formal child care in the last week by age of child, 2004 
			   0-2  per cent.  3-4  per cent. 
			 Early years provision and formal child care 35 86 
			 Nursery school 2 10 
			 Nursery class 1 22 
			 Reception class 0 28 
			 Day nursery 18 12 
			 Playgroup or pre-school 9 18 
			 Childminder 5 5 
			 Nanny or au pair 1 2 
			 Babysitter 3 2 
			 Out-of-school club on-site <0.5 2 
			 Out-of-school club off-site <0.5 1 
			  Notes: The percentages for the different types of formal provision do not sum to the total Early years provision and formal child care figure as a child may attend more than one type of provision. Comparable data is not available for previous years due to changes in the definitions of the different types of formal provision. Data is not available at a local authority level. Data on 3 and 4 years olds attending daycare settings for more than 12.5 hours a week is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many receptions he has hosted and funded in his capacity as Secretary of State in the last 12 months; which individuals and organisations  (a) were invited to and  (b) attended each reception; and what the cost was of each reception.

Kevin Brennan: The Department for Children Schools and Families will publish in due course, an annual list providing information relating to official receptions hosted by the Ministers in the Department during the course of the previous financial year.

Departmental Translation Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department on translation and interpretation services in 2007-08, broken down by language.

Kevin Brennan: Details of expenditure on translation and interpretation services incurred by the Department in 2007-08 are as follows:
	2007-08: £5,497.26
	The figure relates to actual translation and interpretation work as recorded on the Departments integrated financial information system. The figure excludes publishing costs, on-line or off-line, associated with the translated material. The costs incurred for translation and interpretation are recorded under a general heading of Translation Fees. To extract the specific financial data with regard to language would involve disproportionate cost.
	The Department for Children's Schools and Families was created on 28 June 2007 as a result of a Machinery of Government change and the expenditure recorded above includes that of its predecessor department, the Department for Education and Skills.

Smoking

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many smoking shelters were built at each of his Department's London buildings in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The Department for Children, Schools and Families do not currently have or previously had any smoking shelters at its London headquarters buildings.

Teachers: Pay

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the percentage increase in the cost of teachers' pay was in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007; what estimate he has made of the percentage increase in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The estimated percentage increases in the costs of teachers' pay are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Teacher PaybillEngland only 
			   Percentage increase on previous year 
			 2005-06 6.1 
			 2006-07 2.9 
			 2007-08 2.0 
			 2008-09 2.7 
			 2009-10 2.5 
			 2010-11 2.3 
			  Notes:   1 The Paybill figures include Superannuation and National Insurance costs and the pay awards given for each year. Figures were adjusted to reflect actual teacher numbers up to 2007-8. Teacher numbers for 2008-9 onwards have been assumed to be constant at 2007-8 levels.  2. Figures for 2008-9 onwards are based on recommendations in STRB 17th report for headline award and London enhancements.  3. For modelling purposes the Paybill figures employed up to 2006-07 financial year were taken from the previous year Paybill estimations.  4. From 2006-07 onwards, pay settlements are awarded on an academic year basis. Financial year costs are calculated as 7/12 of the current academic year costs plus 5/12 of the preceding academic year costs.  5. Figures show increase in overall Paybill and not changes in Paybill per teacher. 
		
	
	Teachers' pay increases are based on recommendations by the independent School Teachers' Review Body (STRB). The aforementioned figures assume implementation of the recommendations in the most recent STRB report, which for September 2008 are subject to statutory consultation, and for September 2009 and 2010 include indicative pay awards.